There have been two major talking points in the UK throughout February 2020.
The first is the spread of Coronavirus, and the second is something that affects all of us... the weather!
Recently we were hit by multiple storms, major winds, and crazy amounts of rain which means that swells have been huge, fields have turned into lakes, and many rivers have hit record levels.
Something I've noticed while paddling over the recent weeks is how often you come across potentially life-threatening debris that becomes lodged into rapids, which were clear for only days before. I have been seeing more and more posts across social media from paddlers with information about new hazards they have come across, and also from paddlers looking for information about where these strainers are positioned before venturing out.
Gathering as much information as possible before a journey is a good thing, but it's important not to take this information as gospel!
I worry that kayakers are losing the ability to read rivers and scout them for themselves,
Taking the word of somebody on a social media platform about where to scout or portage is not a safe way to navigate a river. Yet now more than ever before people are prepared to take these risks and drop into rapids blind with the assumption that the path is clear.
Things can change quickly and trees move often. Especially with high winds and big water levels.
Don't get complacent. Always look before you leap, and make sensible decisions if you think it is unsafe!